Tunisia: Zinc Market 2025

Zinc Market Size in Tunisia

In 2022, the Tunisian zinc market decreased by -23.6% to $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a five-year rising trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate perceptible growth. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2021, and then dropped notably in the following year.

Zinc Exports

Exports from Tunisia

In 2022, overseas shipments of zinc, unwrought (not alloyed) decreased by -8.8% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after three years of growth. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a perceptible curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 236% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, zinc exports contracted slightly to $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 232%. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Italy (X tons) was the main destination for zinc exports from Tunisia, with a 69% share of total exports. Moreover, zinc exports to Italy exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Germany (X tons), twofold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Italy stood at +5.3%.

In value terms, Italy ($X) remains the key foreign market for zinc, unwrought (not alloyed) exports from Tunisia, comprising 95% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 5% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Italy totaled +7.0%.

Export Prices by Country

The average zinc export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 6.9% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a slight contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 39% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Germany amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Italy (+1.7%).

Zinc Imports

Imports into Tunisia

In 2022, after five years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of zinc, unwrought (not alloyed), when their volume decreased by -32.6% to X tons. Overall, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 73% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then reduced dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, zinc imports shrank sharply to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, enjoyed a pronounced expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 110%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2021, and then fell dramatically in the following year.

Imports by Country

Belgium (X tons), Norway (X tons) and Spain (X tons) were the main suppliers of zinc imports to Tunisia, together accounting for 42% of total imports. Peru, Mexico, Finland, Russia, Turkey, South Korea and India lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 45%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Turkey (with a CAGR of +58.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest zinc suppliers to Tunisia were Norway ($X), Belgium ($X) and Russia ($X), with a combined 47% share of total imports. Peru, Turkey, Spain, Mexico, Finland, India and South Korea lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 40%.

Among the main suppliers, Turkey, with a CAGR of +74.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average zinc import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 20% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, zinc import price increased by +49.1% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 24%. The import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Norway ($X per ton), while the price for South Korea ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+10.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform